“8. Guilt. Everyone makes mistakes. It’s part of life and learning. I’ve done things I’m not proud of but feeling guilty years and even decades later is not healthy. I can’t change the past, pure and simple. I can, however, get over it. As I mentioned before, I control my thoughts. It may be hard but it can be done. Instead of causing myself emotional pain for my wrongdoings, I can use them as a learning experience and change my life accordingly. I didn’t breastfeed my first son. He’s 7 now so it’s a little too late. I still feel guilty at times for giving him the bottle. That’s silly. He’s healthy and happy. That should be all that matters. Guilt does have a purpose but harboring that emotion way after the fact is not purposeful at all. Forgive yourself and move on.”

*****After 67.5 years on the planet, I have lots of stuff to feel guilty about… Each day of the year is a relative guilt trip for me… We were conditioned as kids in our home to feel guilty for just about everything. During my life feeling guilty about success was even a trigger. I never deserved success! I believe excessive guilt is a sign of moral injury of some sort resulting from too much beating yourself up for stuff. What is scary is that so many of the things we are feeling guilty about, we have no control over. Even when there is forgiveness of self along the path of healing, “guilty as charged” is haunting to us guilt lovers. Frankly, I am tired of feeling guilty about lots of stuff! Feeling guilty about so many life events and things becomes stupid at my age. So, in 2014, as a priority, I am going to work very hard at not feeling guilty about stuff that happened in my life. This is not a New Years resolution! I am calling it a continued work in progress with more emphasis on going forward. My goal, like so many of my aging boomer cohorts, is peace of mind. Freeing myself of guilt completely before leaving this wonderful life behind me is a good thing… I have made great progress the last few years, but need to work a little harder to achieve a feeling of ultimate peace with myself. All the best, and peace of mind, to everyone in my circle of life during 2014 and the years to come!Steve SparksAuthorReconciliation: A Son’s Story click to order…

Reconciliation: A Son’s Story by Steve Sparks

A Gift To Every Reader
By John F Tyson on April 18, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
Writing is a solitary process that requires purging, especially when it comes to a memoir. Not many would have the courage to reveal the depth and toxicity of PTSD at such an intimate level, on a complete family. To me, this book is a wonderful gift and will bring comfort to those who continue the struggle. An inspiring quote, buried in the copy, says it all; "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; It's about learning to dance in the rain".
I highly recommend this book.

My Journey of Healing in Life After Trauma, Part 1, Kindle $2.99

My Journey of Healing Part 2 for Parents, Teachers, and Mentors…

What Parents, Teachers, and Mentors Must Know!

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When Daddy Comes Home

Beatles #1 Deluxe Limited Editon..very cool!

Holden Village, A Memoir by Werner Janssen

I was taken by your quote at the end of chapter 1..."Miracles happen when freedom within nature and the human life are allowed to develop through relatively free interaction but without too much organizational interference." This is the magic sauce of innovation and entrepreneurship! Free wheeling brainstorming among kindred spirits!
Steve Sparks

Adventures in Innovation by John F. Tyson

"Kindred Spirits!"
By Steve Sparks on April 21, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
"Innovation and entrepreneurship" is the soul of a successful business enterprise. The Nortel story and legacy is both inspiring and sad. The "lessons learned" are well worth the price of admission... A must read for leaders, educators, and students everywhere!